Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates to an anti-sinking device for an underwater vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Unmanned underwater vehicles are a category of vehicles that can travel underwater either by guidance from an operator or autonomously. One type of unmanned underwater vehicle is a test vehicle adapted to test the performance of onboard equipment, such as a navigation system or a propulsion system. Such test vehicles are buoyant negative, i.e., they are denser than water and would sink and therefore, the test vehicle sinks after the equipment is tested. Generally, the test vehicle has an anti-sinking device that reduces the buoyancy of the test vehicle. Such ant-sinking devices include a disposable mass which can be released to increase buoyancy.

There are various limitations associated with the current type of anti-sinking devices. For instance, the disposable mass tends to obstruct the operation of the mechanism that releases the disposable mass. Obstruction in the release of disposable mass results in a delay in the change in buoyancy. In some cases, the obstruction can cause the delay in weight reduction which can cause the underwater vehicle to sink resulting in the loss of the underwater vehicle.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that is further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

The present disclosure relates to an anti-sinking device that includes a chamber having an opening and the chamber is adapted to hold a plurality of metallic balls. The anti-sinking device also includes a block removably installed at the opening and adapted to release the plurality of metallic balls from the chamber to vary the buoyancy of the chamber. In addition, the anti-sinking device includes a release mechanism adapted to actuate the block. The release mechanism has a spindle partially disposed in the chamber and comprising a first section and a second section attached to the block, an energising element coupled to the first section and adapted to rotate the spindle to release the block, and a sleeve disposed concentrically around the spindle and adapted to prevent the plurality of metallic balls from obstructing the rotation of the spindle in the chamber.

The present disclosure also relates to an underwater vehicle having an anti-siking device attached to a hull of the underwater vehicle. The anti-sinking device includes a chamber, such that the chamber has an opening and is adapted to hold a plurality of metallic balls. The anti-sinking device also includes a block removably installed at the opening and adapted to release the plurality of metallic balls from the chamber to vary the buoyancy of the chamber. In addition, the anti-sinking device includes a release mechanism adapted to actuate the block. The release mechanism has a spindle partially disposed in the chamber and comprising a first section and a second section attached to the block, an energising element coupled to the first section and adapted to rotate the spindle to release the block, and a sleeve disposed concentrically around the spindle and adapted to prevent the plurality of metallic balls from obstructing the rotation of the spindle in the chamber.

According to the present disclosure, the sleeve creates a physical barrier between the spindle and the metallic balls thereby ensuring an unobstructed rotation of the spindle to release the block. Therefore, the spindle can easily release the block to quickly dump the metallic balls thereby changing the buoyancy of the anti-sinking device. This allows the underwater vehicle to quickly surface for recovery.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a portion of the underwater vehicle having an anti-sinking device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and
Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a sleeve of the anti-sinking device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate those elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict, or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more...” or “one or more element is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a portion of the underwater vehicle 200 having an anti-sinking device 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The underwater vehicle 200 can be an unmanned vehicle that can travel underwater and may be capable of navigating autonomously from one point to another point. The underwater vehicle 200 can also be a test vehicle that can be used to test equipment. The underwater vehicle 200 may have a hull 204 which forms a major section of the underwater vehicle 200. Although not shown, the anti-sinking device 100 may be installed at the fore section of the underwater vehicle 200. Alternatively, the anti-sinking device 100 may be installed at the aft section of the underwater vehicle 200. The placement of the anti-sinking device 100 may vary based on the design of the underwater vehicle 200.

The anti-sinking device 100 may include a body 102 that has a chamber 104 formed therein. The body 102 may be installed inside the hull 204, such that a mouth of the chamber 104 is flush with an outer curved surface 204A of the hull 204. The chamber 104 may hold a plurality of metallic balls 106 therein, such that the metallic balls 106 can be discharged from the chamber 104. The metallic balls 106 can be made of lead which, when discharged reduces the weight of the anti-sinking device 100 thereby making the anti-sinking device 100 buoyant positive. The anti-sinking device 100 may also include a block 108 installed at an opening of the chamber 104. The block 108 is adapted to close the chamber 104 to contain the metallic balls 106 inside the chamber 104. Further, the block 108 can be removed from the opening to release the metallic balls from the chamber 104. As may be understood, the removal of block 108 further reduces the released weight.

The anti-sinking device 100 may also include a top section which is above the chamber 104. The top section houses a release mechanism 112 that is adapted to release the block 108. The release mechanism 112 is separate from the chamber 104 so that the metallic balls 106 do not interfere with the working of the release mechanism 112. The release mechanism 112 includes a housing 114 that is attached to the body 102. In addition, the housing 114 may be fastened to hull 204 using a pair of fasteners 116. Further, the release mechanism 112 includes a spindle 118 that is partially disposed in the housing 114 and partially disposed in the chamber 104. In one example, the spindle 118 has a first section 118A that is disposed in the housing 114 and a second section 118B disposed in the chamber 104. The spindle 118 is adapted to rotate about an axis A1 to release the block 108.

The release mechanism 112 may also include an energizing element 110 disposed in the housing 114 and concentrically coupled to the first section 118A of the spindle 118. The energizing element 110, in one example, can be a torsion spring whose one of the ends of attached to the housing 114 and the other end is attached to the first section 118A. Further, the energizing element 110 is adapted to rotate the spindle 118 about the axis A1. During the assembly of the anti-sinking device 100, the energizing element 110 is energized or tensed so that the energizing element 110 rotates the spindle 118 when the spindle 118 is allowed to spin freely.

In one example, the spindle 118 may have external threads at a distal end of the second section 118B that engages with internal threads of a collared bush 122 of the block 108. The threads allow the spindle 118 to remain attached to the block 108 when the spindle is not spinning. Once the spindle 118 starts spinning, the threads disengage thereby allowing the release of the block 108.

The release mechanism 112 also includes a locking pin 124 that is placed adjacent to the first section of the spindle 118. The locking pin 124 is adapted to engage with a flange 126 of the spindle 118, such that the locking pin 124 prevents the rotation of the spindle 118 as long as the locking pin 124 is engaged with the flange 126. Further, the locking pin 124 may be actuated by various mechanisms, such as, but is not limited to, solenoids and a hydraulic actuator. In either case, the locking pin 124 may be retracted away from the flange 126 to disengage from the flange 126.

In addition to the locking pin 124, the anti-sinking device 100 may include an ejector pin 128 that holds the block 108 in place at the opening of the chamber 104. The ejector pin 128 is adapted to initiate the rotation of the block 108. In one example, the ejector pin 128 may sever either by the rotation of the block 108 caused by the spindle 118 or by any other mechanism.

In one example, the release mechanism 112 may also include a cylindrical unit 130 concentrically disposed between the energizing element 110 and the first section 118A of the spindle 118. The cylindrical unit 130 may support the rotation of the spindle 118.

According to the present disclosure, the anti-sinking device 100 has structural implements which ensure that the rotation of the spindle 118 is not obstructed by the metallic balls 106. The structural implement is a sleeve 300 that physically separates the spindle 118 from the metallic balls 106. Details of the sleeve 300 will be explained with respect to Figure 1 in conjunction with Figure 3.

Specifically, Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a sleeve 300 of the anti-sinking device 100, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The sleeve 300 is the component of the anti-sinking device 100 that prevents the metallic balls 106 from contacting the spindle 118. The sleeve 300 has an elongated cylindrical body 302 that extends majorly into the chamber 304 shown in Figure 2. Further, the elongated cylindrical body 302 may have a first end 302A and a second end 302B opposite to the first end 302A, each having an opening. The sleeve 300 also has a lower flange 302 formed at the first end 302 and an upper flange 304 extending from the lower flange 302 to create a step profile which installs the sleeve 302 in a seat in the chamber 104. The lower flange 302 and the upper flange 304 ensures that the sleeve 300 is secured to the body 102. In addition, the lower flange 302 and the upper flange 304 forms another seat to receive the flange 126 of the spindle 118 as shown in Figure 1.

The cylindrical body 302 of the sleeve 300 is designed to have smooth and has an inter diameter greater than a diameter of the spindle 118. The sleeve 300 is also arranged in such a way that when the metallic balls 106 are installed, the sleeve 300 does not get dislodged and does not make contact with the spindle 118. In one example, the sleeve 300 is made of a material that can resist abrasion when the metallic balls 106 discharge from the chamber 104, the sleeve 300 does not get dislodged thereby protecting the spindle 118.

During the installation, the sleeve 300 is first installed in the chamber 104. In one example, the sleeve 300 is inserted into chamber 204 via the top section into the chamber 204, till the. Thereafter, the release mechanism 112 is placed above the chamber 104, such that the spindle 118 is inserted into the sleeve 300. Once installed, the threaded end of the spindle 118 protrudes from the second end 302B sleeve 300. Thereafter, the chamber 104 is placed upside down to fill the chamber 104 with the metallic balls 106. Once filled, the block 108 is installed on the opening of the chamber 104. In one example, the block 108 may rotate at the opening so that the threads in the collared bush 122 meshes with the external threads on the protruding end of the spindle 118. In addition, the ejector pin 128 is also placed and acts as a stopper until the collared bush is de-attached from the spindle 118. Finally, the ant-sinking device 100 is installed in the underwater vehicle 200.

During the operation, the underwater vehicle 200 may perform its intended task. Thereafter, the underwater vehicle 200 may be prepared for recovery. During the recovery operation, a signal may be sent to a mechanism 132 which retracts the locking pin 124. As the locking pin 124 disengages from the flange 126, spindle 118 becomes free to rotate. Further, the energizing element 110 starts rotating the spindle 118 about the axis A1. As the spindle 118 rotates inside the sleeve 300, the lower threaded portion starts to disengage with the collared bush. Simultaneously, the sleeve 300 prevents the metallic balls 106 from obstructing the rotating spindle 118. Once the spindle 118 de-attaches from the collared bush 122, the ejector pin 128 breaks to release the block 108. As the block 108 is released, the block 108 drops into the water thereby allowing the metallic balls 106 to discharge from the chamber 104. As the metallic balls 106 exit the chamber 104, the weight of the anti-sinking device 100 reduces thereby making the anti-sinking device 100 and consequently the underwater vehicle 200 buoyant positive. Accordingly, the underwater vehicle 200 rises to the water surface for recovery.

According to the present disclosure, the sleeve 300 ensures the obstruction free rotation of the spindle 118 to remove the block 108 from the opening to release the metallic balls 106. This results in a quick discharge of the metallic balls 106 which results in the quick recovery of the underwater vehicle 200.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
, Claims:We Claim:
1. An anti-sinking device (100) comprising:
a chamber (104) having an opening and adapted to hold a plurality of metallic balls (106);
a block (108) removably installed at the opening and adapted to release the plurality of metallic balls (106) from the chamber (104) to vary buoyancy of the chamber (104);
a release mechanism (112) adapted to actuate the block (108), the release mechanism (112) comprising:
a spindle (118) partially disposed in the chamber (104) and comprising a first section (118A) and a second section (118B) attached to the block (108); and
an energizing element (110) coupled to the first section (118A) and adapted to rotate the spindle (118) to release the block (108); and
a sleeve (300) disposed concentrically around the spindle (118) and adapted to prevent the plurality of metallic balls (106) from obstructing the rotation of the spindle (118) in the chamber (104).

2. The anti-sinking device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the block (108) comprising a collared bush (122) having internal thread adapted to mate with external threads on the second section (118B) of the spindle (118).

3. The anti-sinking device (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a locking pin (124) adapted to engage with a flange of the spindle (118) to prevent rotation of the spindle (118).

4. The anti-sinking device (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising an ejection pin adapted to secure the block (108) to the chamber (104), wherein the ejection pin is adapted to initiate rotation of the block (108).

5. The anti-sinking device (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the release mechanism (112) comprising a cylindrical unit (130) (130) concentrically disposed between the energizing element (110) and the first section (118A) of the spindle (118), and adapted to support the rotation of the spindle (118).

6. An underwater vehicle (200) comprising:
a hull (202); and
an anti-sinking device (100) adapted to reduce buoyancy of the hull (104), the anti-sinking device (100) comprising:
a chamber (104) having an opening and adapted to hold a plurality of metallic balls (106);
a block (108) removably installed at the opening and adapted to release the plurality of metallic balls (106) from the chamber (104) to vary buoyancy of the chamber (104);
a release mechanism (112) adapted to actuate the block (108), the release mechanism (112) comprising:
a spindle (118) partially disposed in the chamber (104) and comprising a first section (118A) and a second section (118B) attached to the block (108); and
an energizing element (110) coupled to the first section (118A) and adapted to rotate the spindle (118) to release the block (108); and
a sleeve (300) disposed concentrically around the spindle (118) and adapted to prevent the plurality of metallic balls (106) from obstructing the rotation of the spindle (118) in the chamber (104).

7. The underwater vehicle (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the block (108) comprising a collared bush (122) having internal thread adapted to mate with external threads on the second section (118B) of the spindle (118).

8. The underwater vehicle (200) as claimed in claim 6, comprising a locking pin (124) adapted to engage with a flange of the spindle (118) to prevent rotation of the spindle (118).

9. The underwater vehicle (200) as claimed in claim 6, comprising an ejection pin adapted to secure the spindle (118) to the chamber (104), wherein the ejection pin is initiate a rotation of the block (108).

10. The underwater vehicle (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the release mechanism (112) further comprising a cylindrical unit (130) concentrically disposed between the energizing element (110) and the first section (118A) of the spindle (118) and adapted to support the rotation of the spindle (118).